[vandersteen]

Setup

Stock SB3 w/digital out only (Transport)
Benchmark DAC1 (DAC)
Denon 3805 (pre-amp)
Parasound A21 (amp)
Vandersteen Quatros (speakers)

The stock SB3 to the Benchmark Dac1 is very good.

But not as good a my Denon 3910 CD/SACD/DVD-A transport w/ digital out to the Benchmark DAC1.

What is lost is a good part of musicality. Like wanting to get into the music, tapping your feet, feeling the music. Things you can't critically listen for, because if you try you wont be able to discern differences if you try to pay attention to only one instrument, or the signers voice.

Would a modded SB3 with digital mods get the SB3 to this level for me?

Anyone else know what the heck I'm even talking about?

[bpape]

Welcome.

The digital mods and a good linear power supply will get you where you want to be.  Even a basic linear with some of Wayne's (Bolder Cable) magic will help.  His top PS will take it to a whole 'nother level.

Bryan

[vandersteen]

don't want to get off topic, but if i were to buy the top PS, would you want to plug directly into the wall, or through a good Power Conditioner?

[bpape]

You might want to discuss that with Wayne.  I know at RMAF he was running everything through a nice conditioner done up by Mr. Bybee himself.

Bryan

[Wayne1]

I would suggest a linear power supply to be used with the digital only mods.

I would also suggest you plug all your AC gear into a balanced power conditioner.

I use a modded Equi-Tech Son of Q for my HT rig. I have a Balanced Power Conditioner I built for my office system. It cost just as much to build a good one as to buy the Equi-Tech.

Others use the BPT brand with good results. The Ultimate Power Supply MKII does a very good job of supplying DC to the SB. A balanced Power Conditioner helps it out by supplying good, low noise AC to the Ultimate.

At RMAF I did have the privilege to use a one of a kind regulated, balanced power conditioner designed by Jack Bybee. It supplied the best AC I have heard in any system. Unfortunately it was the only prototype in the world. It will be a year or so before this item will hit the market.

For some more thoughts on using the SB analog out vs digital out to a good DAC, you might want to read about our latest listening session: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=37662.0

FWIW, I was not able to see if your Denon receiver does pass through analog signals without first converting to digital for AV signal processing. If this IS the case, your use of the Benchmark is not needed. I would suggest you run the Benchmark direct to the amps or the SB direct into the Denon.

[vandersteen]

"FWIW, I was not able to see if your Denon receiver does pass through analog signals without first converting to digital for AV signal processing. If this IS the case, your use of the Benchmark is not needed. I would suggest you run the Benchmark direct to the amps or the SB direct into the Denon."



If it converted to back to digital wounldn't there be no audible difference between pluging my squeezebox in to the denon, or the benchmark?

Because when i go from the squeeze box to the DAC1 to the denon it sound way way way better then just the Squeeze box to the denon.

[Sasha]

On the subject of SB3, can anyone comment on the difference between stock SB3 using linear regulated power supply and SB3 with digital modifications using linear PS?
Are there significant benefits to digital mod, as with going from switching (stock) PS to linear PS?

[Wayne1]

You may want to read this article from Positive Feedback

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue28/squeezebox3.htm

You can also search this forum. There are quite a few comments about the difference the mods make.

[vandersteen]

Wayne1 - if you could, I don't know if you missed my question in my previous post.

"FWIW, I was not able to see if your Denon receiver does pass through analog signals without first converting to digital for AV signal processing. If this IS the case, your use of the Benchmark is not needed. I would suggest you run the Benchmark direct to the amps or the SB direct into the Denon."



If it converted to back to digital wounldn't there be no audible difference between pluging my squeezebox in to the denon, or the benchmark?

Because when i go from the squeeze box to the DAC1 to the denon it sound way way way better then just the Squeeze box to the denon.

[Wayne1]

I do not know your receiver. I do not have much to do with most AV receivers. A lot of receivers DO convert all of the analog inputs to digital and then back again for amplification. I do not know if yours does this.

My suggestion was to try the SB digital output (NOT ANALOG) into the Denon's digital input with no processing added and compare it to the SB digital output to the Benchmark and then the Benchmark's analog output into the Denon analog input.

If YOU like one over the other, great. I do not own or have listened to any Denon product so I cannot offer any opinion on what would sound better to you.

Go with what sounds best to you.

[AphileEarlyAdopter]

You may want to read this article from Positive Feedback

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue28/squeezebox3.htm

You can also search this forum. There are quite a few comments about the difference the mods make.

My experience mirrors the PF reviewers experience. I initially got the Elpac power supply from Wayne. It did make a difference. After getting convinced about this and Wayne's professionalism, I went for the digital mods. The digital mods+modded Elpac made a substantial improvement to the sound. The PF reviewers comments about bass are spot on. This is the one easiest to notice (more than the midrange/treble).
(BTW, I use a Blue Circle MR1200 balanced power conditioner daisy chained to a Furman Power Factor Pro conditioner, with after-market power cords going to a cryoed wall outlet).